Charles Eugene Finch

Charles Finch, 76, passed away peacefully at his home in Litchfield, after a long battle with cancer, Thursday June 5th, 2025. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at the Church of St. Philip in Litchfield, MN on June 10, 2025 at 10:30 AM. Visitation will be 2 hours prior to the service. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, MN following lunch. The service will be live streamed at www.johnsonhagglund.com.

Chuck was born July 20th, 1948, in Algona IA, the third child to Emmett Hegarty and Della (Rezabek) Hegarty Finch. He was baptized at St Cecelia Catholic Church. When Chuck was just 2 years old his father passed away. Chuck went to work with his mom who cooked at the convent. Chuck would help his mom by standing on a chair. This love of being in the kitchen continued throughout his life.

In 1955, when Chuck was 6 years old Della married Melvin Finch and the family moved to his farm near Bancroft IA and then to a farm near Woden IA. Melvin adopted the three children in 1957. In early spring of 1959, the family moved to a farm outside of Hoffman MN. In 1965 Chuck went to Chicago with a friend and his friend's mother. On this trip he worked his first job at the Wrigley Field (Home of the Chicago Cubs), as an escalator attendant, helping people off and on. In 1967 Chuck graduated from Hoffman High School, Chuck was blessed to have many lifelong friends from his graduating class.

In the fall of 1967 Chuck enrolled at Staples Community College graduating from the Diesel Mechanic Program. In 1969 Chuck moved with his parents to Litchfield MN. Chuck was drafted into the US Army. He served in Vietnam Dec 18th, 1970, with a specialty in communications, he was honorably discharged in 1972.

Chuck married Ruth Herbert on December 30th, 1972, at St Anastasia Catholic Church in Hutchinson MN. The two were each other's lifelong companions. They were blessed with three children; Carla, Peter and Sarah.

Chuck worked at the Creamery in Watkins, MN for a short time, before beginning his decades-long working partnership with his dad in the carpentry trade. Mel and Chuck worked all over the Litchfield and surrounding area. They were known as the "Finch Boys" everyone wanted the "Finch Boys" to build for them. During the winter season Chuck did snow removal for many around Litchfield, this is something he truly enjoyed doing. Chuck took over the business after Mel's retirement in the early 90s. Chuck continued to work as an independent contractor for the next 30 years.

Chuck installed a good work ethic in his children. They often recall him asking them, if they had done anything productive that day, if they had not, he would find something to do.

He was an active member of St Philip's Catholic church serving as a money counter, usher, and was known for making excellent egg coffee for the summer bazaars. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, as a 4th degree member. Chuck was also a member of the VFW, VFW Last Man Standing Club, American Legion as well as over 25-year member of the Meeker County Fair Board. Chuck truly enjoyed being part of the preparations and being at the fair during fair time. Chuck also had great love for the MN State Fair; he and Ruthie attended over 50 MN fairs together, often from sunrise to sunset. This love of the fair had been passed down to his daughters and granddaughter. Chuck was an amazing cook; he and Ruthie hosted many holidays over the years. At Christmas time Chuck was busy patiently making many batches of his delicious homemade divinity candy. Something else Chuck and Ruthie enjoyed doing together was going for a drive, when he would jingle the keys, she had better be ready, whether it was to a newly discovered restaurant or to a MN county fair anywhere across the state. Chuck spent the last serval years going to daily coffee with friends and rolling dice. He & Ruthie also enjoyed meals, playing cards and outdoors games with their good friends. Over the past few years, Chuck and his longtime good buddy Mark had a weekly tradition of going for a drive, letting the road take them on a different adventure each week, which they both looked forward to.

Chuck is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Ruth, children Carla (Greg) Wilson of Monticello MN, Pete (Sofia) Finch of Rogers MN, Sarah (significant other Pierre) of Champlin MN, three grandchildren Amelia, Lucas, Nicolas, sister Emily Hansen, brother John Finch, sister-in-law Jeanne, nephews, niece and many, many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Emmett Hegarty, Melvin Finch, Della Finch, brother-in-law Harold Hansen, niece & goddaughter Heidi Finch.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Phillip's church or Disabled American Veterans.